MEMORIES FROM 2015: Is professional development and training necessary?

Indeed, it is absolutely necessary. Often times employers don’t want to see the need for employees training because for one thing, it affects their budgets and productivity. In this soft economy, when the government, nonprofits and corporations must do more with less, when it comes to decide where to cut, training usually goes first.
 
Employees have the responsibility to produce more or bring more profit, but managers have the obligation to plan and forecast to ensure longevity of the missions they serve. Regardless of how competent, knowledgeable or efficient an employee is, there is always room for growth, and a need to bring his or her skills to the next level and help them become more productive and effective. 
 
Since not all employees operate or have the same skill level, it is critical that at minimum those who are less skilled or need to improve are given the opportunity to learn new skills, improve or enhance their existing skills and knowledge. This in turn will bring positive and better outcomes.  After all, professional development and training should be seen as an investment, which with time will produce higher benefits for the employer, not to mention the positive effect of serving as a genuine morale booster among employees.